ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Facing one of the top run-stopping teams in the Great American Conference, the Arkansas Tech football team found success through the air as senior quarterback
Jack Grissom threw for over 300 yards and a touchdown against Henderson State on Saturday afternoon in Arkadelphia.
The career-game by Grissom, however, came in a 35-19 loss on the road to the Reddies (6-2, 6-2 GAC), who were receiving votes in the latest AFCA Top-25 Coaches Poll.
Early in the game, the Wonder Boys (3-5, 3-5 GAC) overcame some adversity after having a punt on their opening possession be blocked by the Reddies. Following the recovery of the block, the Reddies began their first drive at the Tech 33-yardline.
On 3
rd-and-8 at the Tech 18-yardline, however, the Wonder Boys came away with a big play as
Jordan Furtch jumped a route and intercepted the pass by HSU's Andrew Edwards. Furtch, who now has three of the team's five total interceptions, returned the pick 44 yards before being brought down at the Henderson 46-yardline.
The Wonder Boys then drove the ball down to the HSU 12-yardline before the drive stalled. Senior kicker
Jesus Zizumbo put points on the board for the Wonder Boys, making good on a 29-yard field goal attempt. The field goal was Zizumbo's eighth of the season and 36
th in his career, inching him closer to the all-time Tech record of 39 made field goals by Pitor Stychen (1993-96).
In the second quarter, the Reddies and Wonder Boys traded touchdowns on their initial possessions of the period, keeping it a three-point advantage for Tech. The touchdown by Tech came with 7:34 remaining in the first half and saw Grissom keep the ball for a two-yard rushing score on a zone read. It was Grissom's first rushing TD of the season.
The back-and-forth scoring continued as Henderson found the endzone once more on their next drive, but the return attack by the Wonder Boys was halted shy of a touchdown. This time, Zizumbo drilled a 39-yard field goal to bring Tech to within a point, 14-13 with 3:16 to play in the first half.
Henderson's ensuing drive was a key part of the game as they were set to receive the second half kickoff after Tech won the toss and elected to receive. The Reddies would be able to bleed most of the remaining time on the clock before scoring their third touchdown of the second quarter.
Not long after getting that kickoff to start the second half, the Reddies struck for another touchdown to push their lead out to two possessions, 28-13.
Another key moment in the game came with just over three and a half minutes remaining in the third quarter as the Wonder Boys had driven down to the HSU 20-yardline but were facing 4
th-and-5. Tech was unable to convert that fourth-down attempt and on the very next play, the Reddies struck for an 80-yard touchdown pass to push the lead out even further.
At no point letting down, the Wonder Boys engineered an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive the next time they touched the ball. The final play of the drive was a 26-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field from Grissom to Adam Cousins. The Wonder Boys would attempt a two-point conversion to bring the game within 14 points, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
That also ended up being the final scoring play of the contest as the game ended 35-19 in favor of Henderson State.
The Wonder Boys will bow prepare for their final home game of the season next Saturday as they host Southwestern Oklahoma. Kick-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. and recognition of the seniors on the 2022 team will be held prior to the game.
